“Your Money or Your Life” A Book Giveaway

by Katy on December 29, 2010 · 68 comments

Long time Non-Consumer Advocate readers will notice that I am doing a repeat book post, but Your Money or Your Life is a book worth repeating, so good luck!

Although I am a rampant devotee of library books, there are a few that I need to own. To keep on my bedside table and refer to on a regular basis, jot notes in and then carry around in my bag without worrying that I’ll muss it up. Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicky Robin is one of those books. This book is not about how to get rich or clip coupons. It’s one of those fantastic books that take a broad look at how money, personal energy and life all combine together. I ♥ it!

I haven’t actually done a front to back read of this book in a few years, but I am going to reread it this week, so I can share my favorite bits with you.

The winner of this giveaway will receive one genuine used Seattle Goodwill copy of Your Money or Your Life for your very own self.

To enter to win, write something in the comments section about your own relationship with money. One entry per person, U.S. residents only. I will randomly choose a winner midnight of Saturday, January 1st, Pacific time zone.

Good luck!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 68 comments }

52 Weeks, 52 Letters — A 2011 Project

by Katy on December 27, 2010 · 44 comments

Katy and Mara, 1984.

My friend Joanna recently put something on her Facebook page about doing a letter writing challenge for 2011. Longtime readers may recall that I had done a similar challenge back in 2009, although that was to write a single letter. (A seriously non-challenging challenge.) Intrigued, I sent her an e-mail asking for the details of her challenge, here’s what she wrote:

“One piece of “real” mail sent out each week. It can be a letter, a postcard, a care package, a thank you note, handmade art, etc. I’m searching for all of the cards and stationary I have collected over the years and gathering them into one place with pens, envelopes (regular & padded), lots of stamps (.28 & .44), a glue stick, unlined index cards (great for making postcards), and a few USPS Small Flat Rate boxes. Oh, and I’m updating my address book.”

I love this. There’s just something about writing an honest pen on paper letter that’s very centering. It forces you to be in the moment. Present. Focused. No multitasking, just writing.

I am going to write 52 letters in 2011. Not necessarily to 52 different people, and I imagine that many of them will actually live in the same city as I do. I invite you to join this challenge. Write to those you’ve lost contact with and write to those you chat with on a daily basis. Write to your spouse, maybe even your own children.

When I was 16 years old I wrote a letter or postcard every day to my best friend Mara. Yes, she lived one block away, but that was irrelevant. I have no memory of what I wrote, or why I started this, but it was a really fun experience. Tragically, Mara died in her early twenties, but I deeply miss her and wish more than anything that I could send or receive letters with her.

I dedicate this challenge to my friend Mara, whose complicated short life ended in 1992. I can’t write any more letters to her, but I can write to those who are still in my life.

Once a week, for all of 2011.

Do you want to add your blog the 52 Weeks, 52 Letter Project? Please add your blog link below:

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 44 comments }

Happy New Year — You’re Fat and Unorganized!

by Katy on December 26, 2010 · 32 comments

The new year’s period is a time of reflection. Top ten lists for the previous year abound, and there’s never a poverty of new year’s resolution ideas. Join Jenny Craig or a gym, start budgeting, get organized, or better yet, buy all the accoutrements that go with your goals.

There’s one common theme that I see with pretty much all new year’s resolutions:

You are less than you should be, but buying our product or services will transform you into the person you should be.

Too fat, too unorganized, a financial mess and generally unworthy to be included in the beautiful people’s club.

Greeeaat. . . .

Luckily, there are new year’s resolutions that do not include a trip to Storables or 24 Hour Fitness. Working exercise into your day can be as simple as walking or biking errands, and if organizing all your stuff is overwhelming, it probably means that you have too much stuff.

The new year’s resolution industry, (and yes, selling exercycles, weight loss services and elaborate organizing systems is an industry) would not exist if people were content with themselves and their lives. If people didn’t feel like they were unworthy of happiness without a flat stomach and an organized closet.

I’m here to say that it’s okay to feel good about yourself even if you’re overweight or have mismatched hangers. And if losing weight or getting organized is a goal for you, then go right ahead and pursue that goal. But please don’t do it because some diet industry spokesperson makes you feel bad about yourself.

Do you make the same new year’s resolutions every year? Or perhaps you set a resolution that actually stuck? Please share your stories in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 32 comments }

Merry Christmas!

by Katy on December 25, 2010 · 5 comments

Merry Christmas from everyone here at casa Wolk-Stanley. I am currently sitting bleary eyed on the couch, slightly nauseous from lack of sleep. This is due to a certain twelve-year-old son who was sooo excited about Christmas that he only slept until 1 A.M. I finally gave up at 6 A.M. to accompany him downstairs to watch him open his stocking, which as always was topped with a Goodwill Bearista.

Good thing he’s cute. (The kid, that is.)

I hope your Christmas is chock full of loved ones, wonderful food and thriftilicious goodness!

And perhaps even a nap.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 5 comments }

2010 Word of the Year?

by Katy on December 23, 2010 · 12 comments

Merriam Webster says that the 2010 word of the year is Austerity. Boooring!

My word of the year?

Thriftilicious!

Go on, use it in a sentence. I dare you. 😉

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 12 comments }

Last Minute Panic?

by Katy on December 21, 2010 · 27 comments

My official last minute panic day of the Christmas season is normally the 23rd, but this year it’s today. I work both tomorrow and Thursday, so those days are officially a wash. I’m now back from my staycation, and spread all my gifts out onto the bed last night. And guess what? I’m pretty much done with all my Christmas shopping. (Although I am Jewish, our gift giving happens on Christmas, which is how we did it when I was a kid.)

I was a little concerned that I didn’t quite have enough for my nephew who turns 11 on the 23rd, but that was only because I actually bought him a brand new hardback copy of the new Rick Riordan book which set me back $17.95. (I chose to buy from the locally owned The Looking Glass bookstore.)

Really, all I have left to do at this point is to hit up the Asian grocery store for fun treats and I. Am. Done.

Are you done? Have you been crafting gifts by hand, scouring the thrift stores, perusing local stores or ordering online? Please share your last minute thoughts in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 27 comments }

Tiny House Porn

by Katy on December 18, 2010 · 39 comments

I live in a big house. Big living room, big dining room, big kitchen, tiny bathroom, but big house. Nowadays, this feels like a confession rather than something to be proud of. It’s no McMansion, as it was built in 1914, and we certainly use every room on a daily basis. There are currently five of us living here, (two parents, two children and a Japanese exchange teacher) so it feels right. But there’s a part of me that pores over simple living and tiny house blogs like a suburban father downloading porn.

Ooh . . . look at the clever storage solutions and the sexy little sleeping loft!

Titillating.

School has let out for winter break, and my family is facing a couple of weeks without too much responsibility. Sure, my sons still have soccer and martial arts and I work a few days, but we will mostly get to sleep in and enjoy a break from the normal hustle and bustle of life with teenagers.

My mother owns a guest cottage business for out of towners who are looking for a short term place to stay, and Lexi House, (my personal favorite) is unoccupied until Thursday. Add to that my Japanese host son’s pronouncement that he’ll be away for the weekend, and suddenly it’s staycation time! The house we’ll be staying in is dollhouse-like in its dimensions, but tall ceilings keep it from feeling claustrophobic. It is literally across the street from both the library and a food cart cluster, so it’s pretty much a gigantic treat to stay there. It’s approximately two miles from home, so the fear of forgetting some uber-important cog of daily life is not a stressor.  I think we’ll stay until Tuesday, but I’m not really sure. I don’t actually have to micro-plan this kind of getaway.

Interested in watching some tiny house porn? Here’s a video of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company’s Jay Shafer showing off all 96 square feet of his living space:

Do you yearn for your own 96 square feet of bliss? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 39 comments }

Non-Consumer Mish-Mash

by Katy on December 16, 2010 · 20 comments

Thrift store pajamas. Wrinkled from being slept in, but otherwise perfectly fine.

It’s time again for Non-Consumer Mish-Mash, where I write a little bit about this and a little bit about that.

The Non-Consumer Advocate on Get Rich Slowly

My mornings are perfectly timed these days. The kids’ schools start an hour and 15 minutes apart from one another, which means that our mornings start slowly, with one kid at a time. Seriously, I don’t even wake the 12 year old until the 15 year old has left! For someone else this would be a negative, but I like the one-on-one time with each son. No fighting. No sibling issues. Easy.

This morning brought a nice surprise, which was an article about The Compact on Get Rich Slowly by staff writer Sierra Black. I had given this interview so long ago that I had completely forgotten about it, so at first I was actually kind of confused.

I don’t remember saying all that stuff. It’s sounds like something I would say, but . . . huh?

A nice addition to my otherwise relaxing morning.

Click HERE to read the article.

Bangladesh Fire Reaffirms my Reasoning for Not Buying Crap

There was an article in yesterday’s Oregonian newspaper about a garment factory fire in Bangladesh that killed at least 27 workers. (Most likely much more as there are reports of at least 100 people jumping from the tenth story building to escape the flames.) The factory produces clothing for Gap, JCPenney, H & M and Wal Mart and employs 13,000 people.

“Monir Hossain, a local journalist at the scene, told The Associated Press the blaze broke out on the two upper floors during lunch break. A gate on a stairwell was locked, trapping people inside the factory, which mainly produces T-shirts for international brands, he quoted witnesses as saying.”

The article has a lot of interesting and eye opening information about how Bangladesh’s workers are among the lowest paid in the world, and how there have been a number of recent violent protests concerning the low minimum wage,  which is $45 per month. There was also another another deadly garment factory fire in February, which killed 21 people.

I am almost entirely assembling my Christmas gifts from thrift stores, apart from two flatiron hair straighteners, (didn’t want to buy used) and a single made in China/overly packaged/plastic-ey toy that I bought for my six-year-old niece. (I was enticed by a super low Amazon price, combined with my Swagbucks gift cards.) I do have a few gifts left to buy, but think I’ll be able to plug these holes with consumables, experiential gifts and more thrift shop items.

One of the stock gifts for my family every year is a new pair of pajamas. We open them up on Christmas eve, put them on and get to wake up in attractive sleepwear. And yes, I always buy them used. I’m usually able to find new (or look like new) pajamas at Goodwill for around $3 – $7, often with the tags still on.

Right now, Old Navy’s Jingle Jammies were on sale for $8. (Old Navy also manufactures in Bangladesh.) It would have been super cute to buy everyone matching brand new pajamas, (think of the photos!) but I don’t want to support an industry that locks poorly paid workers into unsafe factories.

Would you consider making a one year pledge to buy nothing new for a year? I’ve been doing The Compact since January of 2007, and will continue on in 2011.

Need Extra Christmas Money?

Are all the extra expenses of the holiday season making you wish for a few extra dollars? No problemo, fellow non-consumers because now is an excellent time to take your unwanted belongings and turn them into money and store credit. And it’s e-a-s-y!

  • Take books you can bear to part with (including kid ones) to used book stores.
  • List large or valuable items on Craigslist. (I recently sold Robeez booties for $8 and an artificial Xmas tree for $15)
  • Glean your closet for unused clothing, coats, shoes and winterwear and take them to consignment shops. Don’t forget that kid consignment stores will also take books, furniture and toys. (I recently sold some ill fitting Danskos for $20)
  • Bring cool household items to antique stores or second hand (for-profit) shops.
  • Ebay! (I just sold a $5 Goodwill doll for $117.)

Use your creativity. Look around your house and turn that clutter into cash. It’s super addictive.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 20 comments }

Just For Fun — The Frugal Girl on CBN

by Katy on December 14, 2010 · 2 comments

I know I’ve posted this before, but I just re-watched The Frugal Girl’s CBN interview and thought it was worth a rerun.

The funny story with this video is that I actually watched it when it first aired. I was at work and I knew the story was due to air, and my patient just happened to coincidently be watching CBN. I gave her strict instructions to hit her call light when the story started and she was quick to follow her nurse’s instructions.  (Always a good plan 😉 )

As a cable-free Jewish gal, I had never watched CBN before, so it was pretty random to actually have this happen.

Enjoy!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 2 comments }

Overeating to Avoid Food Waste

by Katy on December 12, 2010 · 33 comments

I don’t know about you, but avoiding food waste in my house is a full time job. I’m constantly scanning the fridge to make sure that leftovers don’t transform into swamp monsters, and I employ all sorts of  food waste avoidance tactics such as buying perishables in smaller amounts and storing all refrigerated food in clear glass Pyrex containers whenever possible.

But there’s an ill advised food waste avoidance method that I’m certainly guilty of. I eat more than I need to in order to keep food from getting thrown away, (or composted.)

I prepared a lovely brunch for the family today. I had picked apart a crab last night, (one sale, extra discount and making sure to eat it before it got, ahem . . .  fishy.) so I made a delicious dish of crab and scrambled eggs. I also made toast to accompany the meal. Unfortunately, my 15-year-old son wasn’t in the mood for toast and left his untouched. My first reaction was to eat the toast myself in the name of the Waste No Food Challenge. Luckily, my critical thinking self took over and smacked me upside the head to remind me that overeating is never the answer.

So what did I do with the toast?

Well . . . I have put it in a plastic bag and will rip it into small pieces for the birds. I know it’s not the perfect solution, but it’s better than throwing it away, composting it, (mice!) freezing it, (I already have enough crusts in there awaiting their reincarnation as bread crumbs) or eating when I’m already full.

Some food waste is inevitable, especially with children. And I don’t want to be that mom who enacts a clean plate club rule. Children need to learn to stop eating when they’re no longer hungry.

Really though, two pieces of toast is nothing when you look at the big picture. Every day, Americans waste enough food to fill the Rose Bowl. But the majority of food waste happens before it hits our refrigerators, so I’m not going to beat myself up too much.

Make sure to check out Jonathan Bloom’s American Wasteland to explore the myriad issues related to food waste.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 33 comments }

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →